SANDY We met on Christmas morning 1929. Our parents were friends and I'd cycled round to see them, and Beryl opened the door for me. We were both six years old.

BERYL We saw a lot of each other in early childhood, but not in our teens. We got together in 1942, just after Sandy joined the Royal Air Force.

SANDY We'd both turned 19 and I'd just joined the RAF, so I decided to look Beryl up and see how she was getting on. She'd joined the National Fire Service in Southampton.

BERYL It was immediate. For the next two years, Sandy was based in the UK and we'd meet frequently – usually taking long walks in the New Forest. There wasn't much to do in those days: cinema or drinking were the only other options, and neither of us drank then.

SANDY Beryl's father was a very Victorian gentleman. I was in awe of him at times, and when I decided I wanted to propose to Beryl, I had to ring him and ask for his permission. Luckily he agreed, and so Beryl and I became engaged.

BERYL Very shortly after that, Sandy was sent to India. We were apart for nearly two years. It was difficult, but also not unusual at the time.

SANDY I was very fortunate: two years in and I won a mid-tour leave for 28 days – it was as though I'd won the lottery. I sent a cable to Beryl telling her that I was coming home, asking her if we should get married, so she started preparations.

BERYL He came back from Mumbai, but there was a delay: there had been an outbreak of smallpox on the ship, so they couldn't dock until everyone had recovered.

SANDY We were married on the 14th day of my leave. The leave was cut short and I was sent back to India not long after our wedding. It was hard. The ship didn't need propulsion – all the tears from the chap on the back pushed it along.

BERYL We've never really argued in all our years together, although we do have differing opinions on things. We're always talking – sometimes a lot of nonsense – but we both think that's a good thing.

SANDY And we certainly never take a disagreement to bed with us – it's important to resolve things as soon as you can. That's probably the only rule we've had in our relationship. Beryl is the only person who can calm me down if I get upset and angry – she's very measured and calm. She's taught me that love between two people has to be built up over time, and that the more you build, the better it gets.